
Foliar spraying can help keep plants cool and keep transpiration to a minimum. Photo by Stoney Tark.
As a beginner grower, it is important to have a true understanding and awareness of what to expect during the vegetative stage. This is when plants receive 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness, and focus on developing roots, stems, branches, and vibrant green foliage before they start to flower. The Emerald lays out some important factors to consider to allow cannabis plants the best start in life.
Temperature, Humidity, and Light Intensity
Maintaining a consistent grow room temperature indoors is one way to keep cannabis plants healthy and happy. The temperature should not be too hot or cold, and when the lights are on, the optimal range will be between 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit, as advised by ILGM—a platform for cannabis cultivation.
Cannabis plants will transpire water from their leaves. So, using a digital hygrometer will allow growers to monitor the exact temperature and humidity levels at all times, keeping the balance. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture that is present in the atmosphere, and when growing indoors, the ideal range will be 50-70% for the vegetative period, according to Sensi Seeds.
How intense the lights are will play a major role in the rate of growth, transpiration, nutrient uptake, overall size, and structure. Flowering cannabis plants will be better adapted to a high-intensity output such as a 600-1000 watt grow light. However, vegetating plants will prefer a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) level between 400-600, as suggested by Sensi Seeds.
Plant Nutrition, and pH Levels
Feeding cannabis plants with a high nitrogen feed will ensure that they grow healthy and lush foliage. Plants should be watered when the growing medium has become mainly dry. When watering or mixing a nutrient solution, aim for a pH level between 6.0-6.5 (6.5-7 for the flowering stage) for the highest rate of nutrient uptake and availability and vigorous growth, according to FloraFlex, cannabis nutrients experts.
Pot Size and Plant Training Techniques
The pot size will determine the root mass, and how big or small the plants become before initiating the flowering stage by switching the timer to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. Small-sized plants will be most practical for Sea of Green setups, a method that focuses on growing many small plants at once. Large-sized pots will require longer growth times, yet will deliver the biggest yields possible.
Training cannabis plants is one way a beginner-level home grower can learn to be hands-on with their indoor crop, and control the height, width, and yield factor. The different types of training include low-stress and high-stress methods such as topping, fimming, tying down, super cropping, lolly-popping, and mainlining. All types of plant training should be performed during the vegetative stage, as advised by RQS. The methods can make plants more resistant and produce more prolific structures.
6 Tips for Growing During the Vegetative Stage
Below are six tips that will take a beginner-level indoor grow room to the next level in terms of performance, plant health, and vitality. Applying these tips during 18/6 will ensure abundant yields.
Oscillating Fans
Placing oscillating fans inside the grow room will allow the air to circulate and help make vegetating plants stronger and more sturdy. Using two fans at different heights and oscillating at different times from one another will promote the best flow or air currents.
Foilair Spraying Plants
Spraying cannabis plants using water is a great way to keep them cool and fresh while also increasing humidity levels. Spraying the tops and undersides of the foliage is best, however, beware of hot grow light bulbs when doing so.
Inoculate the Growing Medium
Mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microorganisms will form a symbiotic relationship with the rhizosphere of a cannabis plant, aiding in resistance to soil pathogens and disease. This can be done either via a granular application or by making a liquid solution and applying it directly to the soil.
Using Felt Pots
Fabric pots will be more expensive than traditional plastic ones. But they have many benefits and are well worth the extra cost. Felt pots prevent cannabis plants from becoming root-bound and also promote vigorous root growth and prune themselves. The result is an enhanced level of aeration as well as increased root mass and potential yields.
Keep the Grow Room Clean and Tidy
Keeping the grow room tidy, clean, and as sterile as possible has many benefits. Investing in a broom, dustpan and a mop, and frequently keeping floors clean of dust and debris (organic matter such as soil or dead leaves) will help prevent insects and pathogens.
Back Up Timers
Having a second timer as a backup is a great way to have peace of mind that in the event of a faulty timer. This means the plants can continue to receive the proper lighting and darkness.
Cultivating cannabis can be intimidating, and knowing what to prioritize as a novel grower can be difficult. But, with these tips in mind, raising healthy plants can be manageable and approachable.
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